The Airbus A340-300 is the longer of the two original passenger airliners in the Airbus A340 family. It uses four CFM56-5C engines and a twin-aisle fuselage shared in basic cross-section with the A330. The -300 established the A340's main passenger-capacity class before the larger -500 and -600 appeared.[1]Airbus product historyAirbus · mediaassets.airbus.comOpen source details[2]A340-200/-300 aircraft characteristicsAirbus · aircraft.airbus.comOpen source details
Development and configuration
Airbus's product-history account places the arrival of the A340-300 in 1991. The manufacturer described an aircraft seating 295 passengers in three classes with a long-haul range.[1]Airbus product historyAirbus · mediaassets.airbus.comOpen source details
The -300 measures approximately 63.7 metres in length and has a 60.3-metre wingspan. Airbus's airport-planning manual covers the -200 and -300 together but provides separate drawings for their different fuselage lengths, passenger doors and servicing arrangements. The original aircraft use CFM engines rather than the Rolls-Royce Trent 500 installation of the later A340 generation.[2]A340-200/-300 aircraft characteristicsAirbus · aircraft.airbus.comOpen source details
CFM56-5C and the Enhanced programme
CFM was the sole engine supplier for the A340-200 and A340-300. In July 2000 it announced an agreement with Airbus to develop the CFM56-5C Enhanced for the A340-300 Enhanced. Proposed changes included a revised compressor and high-pressure turbine based on technology from the CFM56-5B/P, together with a new first-stage low-pressure-turbine nozzle.[3]CFM56-5C Enhanced developmentCFM International · cfmaeroengines.comOpen source details
CFM set objectives of lower specific fuel consumption and reduced exhaust-gas temperature. The company also proposed an upgrade kit for existing operators, separating new-aircraft introduction from the possibility of improving aircraft already in service.[3]CFM56-5C Enhanced developmentCFM International · cfmaeroengines.comOpen source details
Airline role
The A340-300 offered airlines long-haul capacity below the largest four-engine widebodies. Its lower deck carries baggage and containerised freight while passengers occupy the main deck. The manufacturer's cabin and cargo drawings describe separate spaces, with the usable freight payload depending on the passenger load and fuel requirement.[2]A340-200/-300 aircraft characteristicsAirbus · aircraft.airbus.comOpen source details
Lufthansa used the A340 during its replacement of older DC-10 and 747-200 aircraft. The airline's history places this fleet renewal within the 1990s, when it also modernised its long-haul cabin products. The A340-300 consequently belongs both to Airbus's expansion into long-haul passenger aircraft and to the replacement cycle of an earlier generation of widebodies.[4]Lufthansa centenary chronicleLufthansa · lufthansa.comOpen source details